EP2813900A2 - Protection of a structural component of a timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

Protection device (1) for protecting a structural component, in particular a plate, (2) clockwork movement (3), at a receiving surface that comprises said structural component (2) for reception in support of a complementary bearing surface (51) of a mobile (5). Said protection device (1) comprises at least one insert (6) having a sliding surface (7) of greater surface hardness than that of said structural component (2), said insert (6) being attached to or in said component of structure (2) so that its said sliding surface (7) coincides with said receiving surface.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a protective insert for protecting a given profile revolution housing of a structural component, in particular a platinum, of a given surface hardness timepiece, said insert comprising at least one sliding surface. of superficial hardness greater than said given surface hardness, said insert comprising at least, around an axis of revolution, a machining of revolution complementary to said given profile.

The invention also relates to a watch movement structure component, of given surface hardness, and comprising at least one housing with a given profile revolution, said structural component comprising a protection device provided for receiving in support of a complementary bearing surface of a moving said movement at a theoretical receiving plane.

The invention relates to a clock mechanism comprising at least one mobile having at least one complementary support surface, and comprising at least one such structural component and / or such an insert, for receiving at least said mobile.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a clock mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms.

Background of the invention

Watchmaking mechanisms are highly stressed in wear, and some components, made in particular of cuprous alloy, suffer from friction with an antagonistic component of harder material, steel alloy for example.

Thus, in a manual winding mechanism, a rod actuated by the crown causes, by a radial guide, a winding pinion which meshes with a gear wheel transmitting rotation to a barrel ratchet, directly or through a gear train. This winding pinion, usually made of steel, is axially guided in support on a singing of the movement plate, usually brass or the like. Wear occurs quickly in this contact area, and may require the replacement of the plate, which is expensive.

The document FR 880 880 A in the name of DEPERY describes an assembly of axes of pendulums with pivots engaged in bearings consisting of hollow screws fixed on the plates, these screws axially receiving axial screws acting counter pivots.

The document CH 188 684 A in the name of LA CHAMPAGNE describes a damping bearing smooth shoulder cushion.

The document CH 201 680 A in the name of FELSA describes a plug housed in a bore of a plate and carrying a distinct fixed pivot projecting into this bore. A cylindrical bearing secured to the axis of a mobile is threaded on the pivot, the shaft fitting with a slight frust in the recess formed by the bore and the pivot.

The document FR 1 024 708 A in the name of ERISMAN describes a pivot with a hard metal coating, including chromium.

The document WO 01/40881 A1 in the name of KS22 SA-ECOFFET describes a watch crown screwed onto a socket inserted into the watch case.

The document CH 497 724 A in the name of RECORD WATCH CO SA describes a winding mechanism whose axial position of the rod is determined by a resiliently deformable fixed insert.

The document US 420,919 A in the name of RAUSCHENBACH describes a winder with an insert.

The document CH 131 146 A in the name of GISIGER UHRENFABRIKATIONS describes a winder with a sleeve.

Summary of the invention

Rather than changing the material of the plate, which has an influence on the cost of movement and its weight, the invention proposes to change at a lower cost an existing plate to ensure a longevity equivalent to other components of the watch or the timepiece.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a protective insert for protecting a housing with a given profile revolution of a structural component, in particular a platinum, clockwork of given surface hardness, said insert comprising at least a sliding surface of superficial hardness greater than said given surface hardness, said insert comprising at least, around an axis of revolution, a machining of revolution complementary to said given profile, characterized in that said insert comprises at least a first complementary indexing surface plane and perpendicular to said axis of revolution, and at least a second complementary flat indexing surface and parallel to said axis of revolution, and in that at least said first complementary indexing surface constitutes a said sliding surface of surface hardness greater than said given surface hardness.

The invention also relates to a watch movement structure component, of given surface hardness, and comprising at least one housing with a given profile revolution, said structural component comprising a protection device provided for receiving in support of a complementary bearing surface of a mobile said movement at a theoretical reception plane, characterized in that said protection device comprises at least one such insert attached to or in said structural component at a said housing so that its plane sliding surface coincides with said theoretical reception plane, and characterized in that said structural component comprises a rotational stop surface arranged to cooperate with a complementary rotational stop surface that comprises said insert, which insert is held fixed with respect to said structural component after its initial assembly in or on said component ant structure, and so as to maintain said mobile remote from said structural component and without contact with it, and which insert is removable for its exchange in case of wear.

In a particular variant, said structural component is a watch plate.

In a particular variant, said structural component is a middle watch.

In a particular variant, said structural component is a watch-making circle.

The invention relates to a clock mechanism comprising at least one mobile having at least one complementary support surface, and comprising at least one such structural component and / or such an insert, for receiving at least said mobile.

More particularly, said watch mechanism is a winding mechanism of a watch, said mobile is a winding pinion, and said structural component comprises a bore along an axis for pivoting guidance. a winding stem, which is also guided in a bore of said insert when it is in the bearing position and abutment on said structural component for the pivotal guidance of a rod.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a clock mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, en section selon un plan passant par un axe de tige de remontoir, un dispositif de protection d'un composant de structure, notamment d'une platine, selon l'invention, dans une application particulière à la protection d'un chant de platine servant de face d'appui à un mobile tel qu'un pignon remontoir, dans un mécanisme de remontage horloger, par l'interposition d'un insert particulier entre la platine et ce mobile, en appui sur une surface de la platine ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et en section partielle selon un plan P en vue de bout suivant A, le dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée et en section selon le plan de coupe de la figure 1, vue selon B, le dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de dessus selon la direction C, le dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, l'insert du dispositif de la figure 1, comportant une face d'indexage angulaire sur la platine ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une variante d'insert comportant deux faces d'indexage angulaire perpendiculaires l'une à l'autre ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une autre variante d'insert comportant deux faces d'indexage angulaire perpendiculaires l'une à l'autre, et une troisième face parallèle à l'une d'elles ;
• la figure 8 représente, de façon schématisée et de dessus, de façon analogue à la figure 4, une autre variante de mécanisme où la platine comporte une encoche dans laquelle est enfilé un insert par le dessus;
• la figure 9 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une variante d'insert en forme de cavalier convenant au mécanisme de la figure 8 ;
• la figure 10 représente, sous la forme d'un schéma-blocs, une montre comportant un mouvement avec une plaine équipée d'un dispositif de protection contre l'usure due au frottement d'un mobile.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, diagrammatically and in perspective, in section along a plane passing through a winding stem axis, a device for protecting a structural component, in particular a plate, according to the invention, in a particular application to the protection of a platinum edge serving as a bearing surface for a mobile such as a winding pinion, in a watch winding mechanism, by the interposition of a particular insert between the plate and this mobile, resting on a surface of the plate;
• the figure 2 represents, schematically and in partial section along a plane P in end view along A, the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 represents, schematically and in section along the section plane of the figure 1 , seen according to B, the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 represents schematically and in a top view along the direction C, the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 represents, schematically and in perspective, the insert of the device of the figure 1 , having an angular indexing face on the plate;
• the figure 6 represents, schematically and in perspective, an insert variant having two angular indexing faces perpendicular to each other;
• the figure 7 represents, schematically and in perspective, another variant of insert having two angular indexing faces perpendicular to each other, and a third face parallel to one of them;
• the figure 8 represents, schematically and from above, in a similar way to the figure 4 another variant of mechanism wherein the plate has a notch in which is threaded an insert from above;
• the figure 9 represents, schematically and in perspective, a variant of jumper-shaped insert suitable for the mechanism of the figure 8 ;
• the figure 10 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a watch comprising a movement with a plain equipped with a protection device against wear due to the friction of a mobile.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking mechanisms, in which a mobile operation is theoretically in direct or indirect support, at a theoretical reference surface, generally flat, with respect to another component, which is called here structural component.

Here is called mobile any watch component mounted to rotate or / and translation in a mechanism.

It is understood that the structural component according to the invention can take various forms. It can constitute a platen in the usual sense of the term, or any component of clockwork movement, or any component of clockwork, subject to wear by friction. The object of the invention is to preserve structural component, particularly when it is expensive, because of its machining complexity and / or its material, for example a platinum or a gold watch case.

To ensure the protection of such a structural component, the invention relates to a protective insert 6 for protecting a given profile revolution housing of a watch structure component 2, which component of structure 2 is of superficial hardness given. This insert 6 comprises at least one sliding surface 7 of superficial hardness greater than this given surface hardness. The insert 6 comprises at least, around an axis of revolution D, a revolution machining complementary to this given profile.

According to the invention, this insert 6 comprises at least a first complementary indexing surface 61 plane and perpendicular to this axis of revolution D, and at least a second complementary indexing surface 62 flat and parallel to the axis of revolution D And at least the first complementary indexing surface 61 constitutes such a sliding surface 7 of superficial hardness greater than the given surface hardness.

The invention also relates to a structural component 2 of watch movement 3, of given surface hardness, and comprising at least one revolution housing 8 of given profile.

This structural component 2 comprises a protection device 1, which is provided for the reception in support of a complementary bearing surface 51 of a mobile 5 of the movement 3 at a theoretical receiving surface, and more particularly a theoretical support plan.

According to the invention, this protection device 1 comprises at least one such insert 6, which is attached to or in this structural component 2 at such a housing 8, so that its sliding surface 7 plane coincides geometrically with this theoretical reception surface, and more particularly this theoretical receiving plane.

This structural component 2 comprises a rotational stop surface, which is arranged to cooperate with a complementary rotational stop surface that comprises the insert 6, which insert 6 is held fixed with respect to the structural component 2 after its initial assembly in or on this structural component 2, and so as to keep the mobile 5 away from the structure component 2 and without contact with it. This insert 6 is removable for its exchange in case of wear. It is understood that the insert 6, in the operating position, is in a fixed position relative to the structural component, which it is disassembled only for its exchange after wear.

In a particular variant illustrated by the figures, the rotational stop means comprise at least a first planar indexing surface 21, which is arranged to cooperate in abutment with a first complementary flat indexing surface 61 that the insert comprises. 6, and which belongs to these complementary means of stopping rotation.

This insert 6 is preferably positioned in axial support, or in abutment on at least one bearing surface 20 of the structural component 2 as visible on the Figures 1 to 4 , or in a housing 8 of the structural component 2 as visible on the figure 8 .

The insert 6 is not secured to the structural component 2, which allows its possible replacement.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as visible on the Figures 1 to 4 , and 8 , the structural component 2 comprises at least one such first indexing surface 21, which is arranged to cooperate in support with a such first complementary indexing surface 61 that comprises the insert 6. On the Figures 1 to 4 , the insert 61 has a single complementary indexing surface 61, which is made in plane form, as visible on the figure 5 the first indexing surface 21 is then a flat part. It is thus easy to angularly index the insert 6 relative to the structural component 2, and to define its relative position, here along the direction C of the figure 1 . When, as in the figures, the structural component 2 comprises a bore 29, and the insert 6 has a bore 69, it is thus easy to position them relative to each other, and in particular to put them in the same plan if we are looking for alignment.

In the particular application, not limiting, to a winding mechanism, and illustrated by the figures, the insert 6 is centered in a recess of the mobile 5, which is here a winding pinion. A recess with a plate, constituting this first complementary indexing surface 61, on the insert 6, blocks it angularly on the structural component 2. The protection device 1 is designed for vertical insertion, it that is to say in direction C of the figure 1 which is very simple and requires no pre-assembly of the insert 6 on the structural component 2.

The material of the insert 6 may be selected from copper alloys, steels alloys, synthetic materials, artificial rubies, or others.

In a very economical variant of the invention, the insert 6 visible on the Figures 1 to 5 comprises a main body of revolution 6 in the form of a washer, carrying at least one bore 69, and protruding from this body 6, a boss 65 comprising such a complementary indexing surface 61. The insert 6 is thus outlined under form of a low-cut washer, and is finished by a simple milling delimiting, on the one hand the complementary indexing surface 61, and on the other hand a complementary bearing surface 60 intended to bear on the surface of support 20 of the structural component 2. It can also achieve this insert 6 by stamping, or by plastic injection. It is just as easy to transform an existing plate, by lateral milling a clearance corresponding to the thickness E of the body 6 of the insert 6, and by possible surface milling of the first indexing surface 21, in the where the structural component 2 considered is not plane in this area.

In a variant, the structural component 2 comprises at least one second indexing surface 22 arranged to cooperate in support with a second complementary indexing surface 62 that includes the insert 6. As visible on the figure 6 illustrating a nonlimiting embodiment, the second indexing surface 22 is distinct from the first indexing surface 21, and the second complementary indexing surface 62 is distinct from the first complementary indexing surface 61. example of the figure 6 the second indexing surface 22 is flat and oblique with respect to said first indexing surface 21 which is flat, and the second complementary indexing surface 62 is flat and oblique with respect to the first complementary indexing surface 61 which is flat. And, more particularly, the second indexing surface 22 is perpendicular to the first indexing surface 21, and the second complementary indexing surface 62 is perpendicular to the first complementary indexing surface 61. allows, thus, a precise three-dimensional positioning of the insert 6 with respect to the structural component 2, as well as the proper alignment of their respective respective bores 69 and 29. The figure 7 illustrates yet another variant of insert 6 having two angular indexing faces 61 and 62 perpendicular to one another, and a third face 63 parallel to one of them 62.

In many horological applications, and particularly in the application illustrated by the figures of a movement 3 comprising a winding mechanism, the structural component 2 comprises at least one bore 29 along an axis D for the pivotal guidance of a rod 9. Also the use of an insert 6 according to the invention can it, in addition to the protection of the edge face of the structural component 2, to less wear wear this bore 29, ensuring at least one range guiding such a rod 9.

For this purpose, the insert 6 advantageously comprises at least one bore 69 for the pivotal guidance of a rod 9. In particular, this bore 69 is treated or coated with an anti-wear treatment or coating, or insert 6 is itself equipped with a ring, having the bore 69, this ring being in a suitable material or treated or coated with a treatment or anti-wear coating.

The protection device 1 is advantageously used in a mechanism where the bore 69 of the insert 6 and the bore 29 of the structural component 2 are aligned in the assembly position of the insert 6 on the structural component 2.

In a particular variant, the structural component is a watch plate.

In a particular variant, the structural component is a middle watch.

In a particular variant, the structural component is a watch-making circle.

The invention relates to a watchmaking mechanism 10 comprising at least one mobile unit 5 comprising at least one complementary support surface 51, and comprising such a structure component 2 and / or such an insert 6, for receiving this mobile unit 5.

A watch movement 3 comprising such a watchmaking mechanism 10 advantageously comprises such a structural component 2, which is arranged to receive, in the same direction of insertion during assembly, the insert 6 and the mobile 5, of preferably perpendicular to the axis D and in the direction C of the figure 1 , and comprises a chamber 80 (in recoil of a front surface 4) in which at least the insert 6 is movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis D in the absence of a rod 9, and in which this insert 6 is immobilized in a single position during the insertion of such a rod 9 into the bore 69 of the insert 6 and the bore 29 of the structural component 2.

The sliding surface 7 of the insert 6 is preferably perpendicular to the axis D.

The particular case of the figures illustrates a winding mechanism 10 of a watch 30, the mobile 5 is a winding pinion, and the structural component 2 comprises a bore 29 along an axis D for the pivotal guidance of a rod 9 winding, which is also guided in a bore 69 of the insert 6 when it is in the bearing position and abutment on the structural component 2 for the pivotal guidance of such a rod 9.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 3 comprising at least one such mechanism 10 and / or such a structural component 2 equipped with such a protection device 1 for its protection during the movement of a mobile 5 that includes this movement 3, and whose insert 6 is or is held in the structural component 2 by a rod 9 inserted into a bore 29 at the same time D of the plate and in a bore 69 of this insert 6 aligned with the bore 29 of the structural component 2, or movable relative to the structural component 2 in a plane perpendicular to the axis D.

The invention also concerns a watch 30 comprising such a watch movement 3 and / or such a watch mechanism 10.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to eliminate the wear of the structural component, in particular in a manual winding mechanism. It allows the reuse of a structural component, including a platinum, existing at the cost of tiny transformations, with a very inexpensive implementation insert. The only after-sales interventions concern the insert, and no longer the structural component.

Claims (19)

Protective insert (6) for protecting a given profile revolution housing of a given surface hardness structural component, said insert (6) having at least one planar hardness sliding surface (7) superficial surface greater than said given surface hardness, said insert (6) comprising at least, around an axis of revolution (D), a machining of revolution complementary to said given profile, characterized in that said insert (6) comprises at least one first complementary indexing surface (61) plane and perpendicular to said axis of revolution (D), and at least one second complementary indexing surface (62) plane and parallel to said axis of revolution (D), and in that at least said first complementary indexing surface (61) constitutes a said sliding surface (7) of superficial hardness greater than said given surface hardness. Structure component (2) of clockwork movement (3), of given surface hardness, and comprising at least one revolution housing (8) of given profile, said structural component (2) comprising a protection device (1) provided for reception in support of a complementary bearing surface (51) of a mobile (5) of said movement (3) at a theoretical receiving plane, characterized in that said protection device (1) comprises at least one insert (6) according to claim 1 attached to or in said structural component (2) at a said housing (8) so that said flat sliding surface (7) coincides with said theoretical reception plane, and characterized in that said structural component (2) comprises a rotational stop surface arranged to cooperate with a complementary rotational stop surface that comprises said insert (6), which insert (6) is kept fixed with respect to said stru component (2) after initial assembly in or on said structural component (2), and so as to keep said moving part (5) away from said non-contacting structure component (2) and which insert (6) is removable for its exchange in case of wear. Structural component (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said rotational stop surface comprises at least a first planar indexing surface (21), in that said complementary rotational stop surface comprises a first complementary indexing surface (61) flat, and in that said first planar indexing surface (21) is arranged to cooperate in abutment with said first complementary indexing surface (61). Structural component (2) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said insert (6) is positioned in a fixed position, in axial bearing, or on at least one bearing surface (20) of said component of structure (2), or in said housing (8) of said structural component (2). Structure component (2) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said structural component (2) comprises at least a second indexing surface (22) arranged to cooperate in abutment with a second surface of complementary indexing (62) that comprises said insert (6). Structural component (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that said second indexing surface (22) is distinct from said first indexing surface (21), and in that said second complementary indexing surface (62) ) is distinct from said first complementary indexing surface (61). Structural component (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that said second indexing surface (22) is flat and oblique with respect to said first indexing surface (21) which is flat, and in that said second complementary indexing surface (62) is flat and oblique with respect to said first complementary indexing surface (61) which is flat. Structural component (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that said second indexing surface (22) is perpendicular to said first indexing surface (21), and in that said second complementary indexing surface (62) is perpendicular to said first complementary indexing surface (61). Structural component (2) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said structural component (2) comprises at least one bore (29) along an axis (D) for pivoting guidance of a rod (9). Structural component (2) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that said insert (6) comprises at least one bore (69) for pivotally guiding a rod (9). Structural component (2) according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that said bore (69) of said insert (6) and said bore (29) of said component of structure (2) are aligned in assembly position of said insert (6) on said structural component (2). Structural component (2) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it comprises a chamber (80) in which said insert (6) is insertable in a plane perpendicular to said axis (D) in the absence of a said rod (9), and wherein said insert (6) is immobilized in a single position during the insertion of a said rod (9) into said bore (69) of said insert (6) and said bore (29) of said structural component (2), so as to maintain said insert (6) is fixed with respect to said structural component (2) after its mounting in or on said structural component (2) and after the insertion of said rod (9). Structural component (2) according to one of claims 9, 11 or 12, characterized in that said sliding surface (7) is perpendicular to said axis (D). Structural component (2) according to one of Claims 2 to 13, characterized in that it is a watch plate. Structural component (2) according to one of Claims 2 to 13, characterized in that it is a middle part of a watch. Structural component (2) according to one of Claims 2 to 13, characterized in that it is a watch-casing ring. Clock mechanism (10) comprising at least one mobile (5) comprising at least one complementary bearing surface (51), and comprising at least one said structural component (2) according to one of Claims 2 to 16 and / or an said insert (6) according to claim 1, for receiving said mobile (5). Clock mechanism (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is a winding mechanism (10) of a watch (30), in that said mobile (5) is a winding pinion, and in that said structural component (2) has a bore (29) along an axis (D) for pivoting guidance of a winding stem (9), which is also guided in a bore (69) of said insert (6) when it is in abutment and abutment position on said structural component (2) for the pivotal guidance of a rod (9). Watch (30) comprising a said clock mechanism (10) according to claim 17 or 18.

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